POISONOUS PLANTS 277 



round, purplish-black, and resemble cherries. The 

 leaves are oval and pointed at the end. The whole 

 plant has a nauseous odor and a somber appearance, 

 as it' to announce the poison it conceals. The ber- 

 ries particularly are dangerous because they may 

 U'liipt children by their resemblance to cherries and 

 their sweetish taste. Enlargement of the pupil of 

 the eye and a dull, fixed stare are the characteristics 

 of belladonna poisoning." 



Paul took from the bouquet in the pitcher a sprig 

 of belladonna, and passed it around in the audience 

 so that each one could examine the plant closely. 



"What do you say that is called ?" asked Jean. 



" Belladonna. " 



"Belladonna; good. I know that weed. I have 

 often found it near the mill, in shady places. Who 

 would believe those pretty cherries held such a 

 frightful poison." 



Here Andre asked: "What does the word bella- 

 donna mean?" 



"It is an Italian word meaning fine lady. For- 

 merly, it seems, ladies used the juice of this plant to 

 P their complexion white." 



"That is a property that does not concern our 

 hmwn skin. What concerns us is this confounded 

 berry which may tempt our children." 



"Are not our herds in danger when this weed 

 grows in pasture- " Antnine next iiniuired. 



"It is very seldom that animals touch poisonous 

 plant-; they avoid browsing what nii-ht harm tin-in, 

 Warned l,y the <>d..r. and ahmv all l.y instinct. 



"This other plant with lame leaves, whose flow- 



